DNA Repair provides a forum for the comprehensive coverage of DNA repair and cellular responses to DNA damage. The journal publishes original observations on genetic, cellular, biochemical, structural and molecular aspects of DNA repair, mutagenesis, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and other biological responses in cells exposed to genomic insult, as well as their relationship to human disease .

DNA repair, any of several mechanisms by which a cell maintains the integrity of its genetic code. DNA repair ensures the survival of a species by enabling parental DNA to be inherited as faithfully as possible by offspring. It also preserves the health of an individual. Mutations in the genetic code can lead to cancer and other genetic diseases.

DNA repair is strictly defined as the cellular responses that are associated with the restoration of the normal base-pair sequence and structure of damaged DNA. From: The Molecular Basis of Cancer (Third Edition), 2008

Base excision repair (BER) is a repair mechanism that deals with situations like the deamination of cytosine to uracil (Figure 7.43) or the methylation of a purine base. These changes do not typically distort the structure of the DNA helix, unlike chemical adducts or UV damage.

Immediately after DNA synthesis, any remaining mispaired bases can be detected and replaced in a process called mismatch repair. If DNA gets damaged, it can be repaired by various mechanisms, including chemical reversal, excision repair, and double-stranded break repair.

DNA repair pathways act to prevent mutation and necrobiosis, thus maintaining genome stability, cellular integrity and preventing the onset of cancer, neurodegeneration, and premature aging. The different categories of DNA repair system that the cells possess are: